As we near closer and closer to the December 21, 2012 end of the world date, people are undoubtedly preparing for the possibility of a Mayan apocalypse or other end of the world scenario. Perhaps their fear is reasonable and perhaps not – that is a matter of personal opinion. However, over the millennia there have been numerous other predicted apocalyptic events that very much resemble the 2012 end of the world prediction. Let’s take a closer look at some of the past apocalyptic events that were supposed to end the world from the Y2K bug to the numerous Jehovah’s Witness predictions.

Halley’s Commit (1910)

Although Halley’s commit had shown us its beauty a number of times prior to 1910, this year on May 18th was thought to be the end of the world. However, unlike the 2012 Mayan apocalypse prediction of a collision with the commit, it was the toxic gas from its tail that was thought to answer the question, when will the world end?

Jehovah’s Witness

Often predictions of the end of the world come from religious groups claiming that the day of judgement is upon us and as the bible states – the horsemen of the apocalypse will rain fire upon the Earth as Jesus saves the chosen ones. The Jehovah Witnesses in particular have made claims that doomsday is near numerous times over the past century or so including 1914, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975, and 1994 (amongst others). Indeed, with so many predictions of an apocalypse, you would think people would wise up. However, yet again we are faced with the 2012 end of the world prediction of the Mayan apocalypse – albeit this time not from religious fanatics.

The Jupiter Effect

When all too often the question of when will the world end is posed, there is potential for someone to come up with an answer. It is not always the religious who are ready with an answer however, but sometimes scientists, as was the case with the Jupiter effect. This prediction was based on a 1982 event in which all 9 planets would align causing fluctuations in gravitational pull resulting in solar flares and other potentially Earth-threatening events. Indeed, solar flares and solar maximum events are believed by some to be how the 2012 end of the world Mayan apocalypse scenario will play out.

Y2K

Perhaps the most well-known prediction of the end of the world was the Y2K scare at the turn of the millennium. It was believed that due to our reliance on computers and their inability to function as the year turned over to 2000, that chaos would spread thus leading to the end of the world. Of course, that date came and passed and what we are now facing is a new answer to “when will the world end?” That being the potential of a Mayan apocalypse based on the misunderstood end of the “Mayan Calendar”. Will the 2012 end of the world event pan out, or will it simply be another case of the Y2K scare?